Mona Megdallani, the founder of the renowned Recto Verso youth theater group, has triumphed once again, securing the first-place prize and the 2025 Egyptian French Teachers’ Association Cup for a remarkable 16th time. Her acclaimed play “We Want to Eat”, performed at the Freedom and Creativity Center, was made possible through a collaboration with Egypt’s Ministry of Culture, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the French Institute, and the International Francophone Theater Festival.
A Visionary Leader in Education and the Arts
Mona Megdallani is a multifaceted leader in both the cultural and educational sectors. She is the Business Development Manager for MLF Egypt, one of the French Ministry of Education’s primary partners, responsible for promoting French education abroad. Additionally, she served as the former Secretary General of the French University in Egypt. Mona holds a Master’s degree in Educational Sciences from Saint Joseph University in Beirut and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Linguistics at the University of Haute-Alsace in France.
A Pioneering Force in Francophone Theater
In 2002, Mona founded the Recto Verso theater group, a pioneering initiative in Egypt’s Francophone arts scene. Over the years, she has written and directed more than 20 successful plays, which have been staged in both Egypt and France. Her dedication to elevating Francophone theater is evident in her role as co-president of the International Francophone Theater Festival (FESTIF) since its inception in 2002. She has also been serving on the board of ArtDraLa, a French association dedicated to drama and language arts, since 2017.
Recognized for Excellence in Education and Cultural Promotion
Mona’s influence extends far beyond the stage, earning her prestigious recognition in both education and culture. In 2019, she was honored with the Ordre des Palmes Académiques (Order of Academic Palms) at the rank of Knight by the French Ministry of Education. In 2023, she was awarded the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Order of Arts and Letters) at the Knight level, in acknowledgment of her tireless efforts to promote French culture in Egypt, especially through the medium of theater.
A Global Ambassador for Egyptian Culture
In 2024, Mona was selected by the French Ministry of Culture to represent Egypt in the Courants du Monde program in Paris. As the sole Egyptian representative, she joined 50 distinguished participants from 29 countries across the globe. This prestigious opportunity highlighted her as a key ambassador for Egyptian culture on the international stage.
National Recognition and Industry Leadership
Mona’s achievements have also been recognized at the national level. She received the Alexandria Governorate Award for Excellence in Professional and Cultural Innovation in both 2019 and 2023. In 2021, she was named one of the “50 Most Influential Women in Egypt,” and in 2022, she was honored as one of the “10 Most Inspiring Women in Alexandria.”
